The ‘Navapashanam’ idol is very powerful and has healing properties
Date : 18/05/2024
Hello, dear reader. This is the fourth in the series of articles on Lord Murgan’s abodes. We had seen in detail about Thiruchendur in the previous article. In this piece, we will look at Palani, the third of Muruga's six abodes.
Palani initially belonged to the Madurai district; today it falls inside the district of Dindigul. There are two different interpretations of the name Palani. The first one: Parvati first wanted to share the fruit of wisdom that Naradar gave to Lord Shiva, with Muruga and Ganesha. But Lord Shiva realised that the fruit would lose its property if it was split. So he announced a competition. Whoever goes around the earth first, would receive the fruit. Muruga got ready to go around the world in his peacock.
But Ganesha had a different plan: He said that his father and mother are the world to him. He circambulated them once, and received the fruit. This enraged Muruga. He denounced everything and stood on the Palani hills as a hermit. This is why the place is called Palam (fruit) Ni (You). There is also another theory: The town could have got its name from the word ‘Pazhanam’, which means a land which gives rich agricultural produce. Since this region is very fertile, the world Pazhanam could have, with time, changed to Palani.
But the most important point to note is this: We all think that the temple on Palani hills is the third abode of Lord Muruga. But Nakkerar, in his Thirumurugaatrupadai says that the third abode is Thiruavinankudi. He does not say anywhere that Muruga appears as a hermit, i.e. denouncing his clothes and jewels. Nakeerar only says Thiruavinankudi is where Muruga stayed happily with his consort Valli. That’s why there is an opinion that the temple which Nakeerar mentioned and today’s Palani are two different places. Vaiyaavi Koperum Pegan is one one of the ‘Kadaiezhu Vallalgal’. He is said to have offered protection to a peacock. And the place where Pegan lived is Aaviyar Kudi. The place where those kings settled and ruled over lands is called Avinankudi, say some experts.
At the foothills of Palani, in the plains, there is a ‘Kuzhandhai Velayudha Swami Temple’. This is called Thiruavinankudi today.
There is also another explanation for the name Thiruavinankudi.
Thiru - Lakshmi
Aa - Kamadhenu
Inan - Surya
Ku - Bhumadevi
Di - Agni
Since all these Gods worshipped Lord Muruga here, this place came to be known as Thiruavinankudi. Whatever be the case, today, Palai is considered the third abode of Lord Muruga and is worshipped by pilgrims as such.
Once Sage Agasthiyar requested a king named Idumban to bring him two mountains. Idumban also carried two mountains on his shoulder and was on his way to meet Agasthiyar. It was then that Lord Muruga interrupted him and defeated him in a battle. And Muruga ordered Idumban to place the mountains at the same place itself. Those two hills are today called Palani and Idumban hills, according to the Sthala Purana.
It is said that the murthi of Lord Muruga in this temple was created by a Siddha sage named Bogar. He is said to have made the idol using the ‘Navapashanam’ mixture.
To create this idol, it is said that Bogar went to various places and gathered more than 4,000 herbs. Along with him, 81 more Sidha saints created the ‘Navapashanam’ mixture. Bogar took approximately 9 years to create this idol. Why did he create this murthi? There seem to be two reasons.
Sage Agasthiyar, Goddess Ambal and Lord Murgan ordered Bogar to create an idol like this, according to folklore.
Another reason: When Sage Agasthiyar would create concoctions and cure diseases, Bogar distributed a tablet made of his ‘Navapashanam’ mixture to people flocking him. Since this mixture was too powerful, it is said that people even lost lives. Seeing this, Bogar made a statue out of this mixture and covered it with sandalwood paste. And he took a very, very small piece of the statue and gave it to patients. This way, they were getting cured.
Whatever be the case, the fact that ‘Navapashanam’ idol is very powerful and is endowed with medicinal qualities is accepted by all.
It is said that this ‘Navapashanam’ idol even has scales like that of a fish. Since this idol possesses powerful medicinal qualities, the sacred ash and the sandalwood paste applied on the idol also acquires the healing properties. Even today, it is believed that these sacred powders can cure various diseases. Some even say that the ‘Navapashanam’ idol has been damaged since people have through the years, applied and reapplied various pastes on the idol.
This is why no anointing procedures happen on the ‘Navapashanam’ idol. There is another metal idol in front of the ‘Navapashanam’ idol. All the anointing procedures are done for the metal idol. Even when the procedures were done for the ‘Navapashanam’ idol earlier, it is said that only 5 types of materials were used. Those were: gingelly Oil, pachamirdham (a fruit mixture), sandalwood, sacred ash, and rose water.
Only during the month of Margazhi, rose water would be poured over the idol, and sandalwood was used on other days. The other three were just placed on the head of the murthi and removed. The sacred ash thus removed from the head of the idol is considered a boon by the devotees. Every day, the anointing rituals happen six times. And this vigraha is always at a higher temperature.
That’s why during the night, sandalwood paste is applied on Lord Muruga’s chest. The entire vigraha is a testament to Bogar’s artistic skills. The murthi has a Rudraksh on His forehead, his eyes, nose, mouth and fingers have been sculpted very beautifully. The priests say that there is a pleasant odour emanating from the vigraha at all times.
When Bogar consecrated the idol, he also fulfilled a promise he made to his wife and placed the Lord Muruga idol facing west. Thus, it is said that His blessings benefit the people residing on the West of the hills, particularly people in Kerala. This is why many Malayalees frequent the Palani hills. To the left of the Dhandayudhapani murthi is an Emerald Linga. Apart from that, there is another Emerald Linga in the Bogar samadhi. It is said that Bogar performed rituals on both these Lingas.
Pilgrims are expected to follow a dress code when they visit Palani. Men are allowed to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjamas and pants. Bermuda pants and shorts are not allowed. Women can wear saree, salwar, and half-saree, they cannot wear jeans, short skirts or leggings.
Everyday is a festival in Palani. Nevertheless, Thai Pusam, Panguni Utsavam, and Surasamharam are celebrated with extra pomp and fervour. Pada yatra and carrying a kavadi are considered important methods of worship in Palani. The pada yatra practice has been existent for around 400 years.
Nagarathars, the merchant community, used to visit Palani for selling salt and during that time, they are said to have carried items for the Lord on a Kavadi. They also carried salt to the Lord. Thanks to Muruga’s blessings, their business is said to have blossomed. So, every year, during Thai Pusam, they take a pada yatra to Lord Murga on the Palani hills.
The people undertaking pada yatra split into two groups and one starts from a village named Nerkuppai. The other starts from Devakottai. A practice that was started by a few people 400 years ago is going strong even today. The number of people undertaking the pada yatra only increases year after year.
Though this padayatra started with a specific objective in mind, today it has evolved. Many communities across Tamil Nadu walk to Palani, not just during Thai Pusam. The pada yatra happens for many months together. Today, there is a dedicated walking path from Dindigul for pilgrims taking the pada yatra. As with the Nagarathars, today, many people belonging to the community carry the kavadi, even if they live abroad, they spend lakhs and visit India to undertake this holy journey.
Palani’s special prasada is the panchamirtham (a mixture of fruits). The temple administration manufactures the panchamirtham and sells it. Many private entities also manufacture it. One of the most important ingredients in panchamirtham is dates, which is imported directly from the Arab nations. Further, sugar crystals (kalkandu), unrefined native sugar, bananas and cardamom are added to give the panchamirtham a unique flavour.
To reach the top of the Palani hills, there is a trekking path from the foothills and there is also another path with steps. Apart from this, there is a cable car service to reach the hills. Pilgrims have given a great response to this service run by the temple administration. Since Lord Murgan is as Dhandayudhapani, after renouncing His belongings, it is common to see pilgrims offering their hair. Tonsuring at Palani is considered sacred by pilgrims.
In the next article, we will visit Lord Muruga’s fourth abode.
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